I'm a creature of habit and, for as long as I can remember, my favourite table in Auckland has been at The Engine Room on the North Shore, just over the Auckland Harbour Bridge. They serve my kind of food: cooked with intelligence and a lot of heart. The service is snappy and wholesome and there's no arrogance here, just a genuine warmth and natural delivery.

My go-to eatery of choice, where informality and good times are the order, is an iconic small gaff called Ken Yakitori Bar in the infamous K [Karangahape] Road. It's a bit of an Auckland institution, where it's not unusual to sit between a couple of suits and some dolled-up ladies of the night, refreshment loading before a long night ahead. Everything, as it should be, is cooked over charcoal. My yakitori favourites are chicken gizzards and hearts, and beef tongue. See engineroom.net.nz; kenyakitori.co.nz. 

THE LOCAL FOOD DISCOVERY OF THE PAST YEAR?

Masu by Nic Watt. He serves beautifully executed modern Japanese fare. The beautiful smoky perfume of high-quality charcoal fills the whole place. See skycityauckland.co.nz/restaurants/masu.

WHAT IS AUCKLAND'S BEST-KEPT FOOD SECRET?

That has to be Mexican Specialties in Ellerslie. It's a Mexican product store that is only open for lunch three days a week –  Thursday, Friday and Saturday – but it's worth the effort. It's hot and spicy. See mexicanspecialties.co.nz. 

PLACE TO GO ON A DAY OFF?

Coco's Cantina in K Road. This place has super-cool staff, genuine hospitality and no-fuss delicious food that everyone simply loves. Great bar, tasty cocktails and "onto it" tunes. See cocoscantina.co.nz.

FAVOURITE INDULGENCE IN AUCKLAND?

The doughnuts from Little & Friday are a must if your sweet tooth is bothering you. See littleandfriday.com.

WHAT SHOULD A VISITOR AVOID, FOOD-WISE, IN AUCKLAND?

Bad coffee-chain houses. There is just too much great coffee in Auckland not to be getting high on the good stuff. A few favourites of mine to look out for are Havana, Supreme, Mojo and Three Beans.

New Zealand culinary ambassador, chef, author and television presenter Al Brown's resume includes the award-winning Depot Eatery and Oyster Bar and the book Go Fish: Recipes and Stories from the New Zealand Coast, which won an International Association of Culinary Professionals' Award, among other gongs. His latest is Depot: Biography of a Restaurant. See albrown.co.nz.